Display package having a channel for fluid dispensing to the outside



Aug. 1, 1967 H. A. MARTELLI DISPLAY PACKAGE HAVING A CHANNEL FOR FLUID DISPENSING TO THE OUTSIDE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 4-, 1965 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. HOMER A. MARTELLI .i l l illlllllllifilllllli u I!!! @fl'llllllllllliliillliil .rdtiillll FIG. I

ATTORNEY g- 1 H. A. MARTELLI 3,333,684

DISPLAY I PACKAGE HAVING A CHANNEL FOR FLUID DISPENSING TO THE OUTSIDE Filed March 4, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HOMER A. NARTELLI BY Z I a AITORNEY United States Patent 3,333,684 DISPLAY PACKAGE HAVING A CHANNEL FOR FLUID DISPENSING TO THE OUTSIDE Homer A. Martelli, Westwood, N.'.I., assignor to Union Camp Corporation, a corporation of'Virginia Filed Mar. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 437,160 14 Claims. (Cl. 20645.31)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A display package having a channel for fluid dispensing to the outside, the package comprising a stiff supporting sheet with a cut-out portion therein and a membrane container spanning the cut-out portion, the membrane container forming a cavity for fluid and a channel directed outwardly from the cavity in which fold lines of the sup porting sheet form the marginal edges of the channel.

The present invention relates to a display package and more particularly to a foldable blank card type display for a packet or pouch type container for fluids.

Plastic vials are presently used as containers in display packages for many products, as for example shampoos, hair tonics, bath oils or the like. The potential market for this type of package has, heretofore, been limited because of the difi'iculties encountered in preparing relatively simple damage proof packages for individual vials or a group of vials as a separate unit.

Another type of effective display package presently in use is shown in United States Patent 3,064,402. While this display package has advantageous characteristics of strength and eye appeal and serves as a superior display package for an article, it is not intended or adapted for use as a liquid container. In addition, because the primary application for the display of this patent is for the display of articles, 110 means are provided for either filling the container with a fluid product to be displayed or for dispensing a fluid product from the container.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved display package for fluids.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a display package which is capable of containing fluids of varying viscosities for appreciable periods of time.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a display package for fluids which is extremely attractive and not subject to damage through ordinary handling.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a display package for fluids which is constituted of a minimum number of parts so that it may be assembled with facility at relatively low cost.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a display package for fluids which is either selfstanding or which can be hung or suspended from a suitable rack.

A display package for fluids constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a stiff supporting sheet divided into two portions by a fold line and having a cutout of prescribed configuration, along with a membranous sheet spanning the cutout and adhered to the supporting sheet. This package also includes means for securing the two portions of the supporting sheet together after the supporting sheet has been folded along the fold line and for forming a fluid tight seal between juxtaposed portions of the membranous sheet. A cavity is thus formed between the juxtaposed portions of the membranous sheet within the fluid tight seal. The display package of the invention further includes a channel running outward from the cavity through which a fluid may flow.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a display package constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the display package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a blank from which the display package of FIG. 1 is made;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of a display package constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the display package of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a display package in FIG. 5 is made.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a display package constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a stifl supporting sheet 10 divided into two portions 11 and 12 by a fold line 13. For purposes of identification only, portion 11 will, from time to time, be referred to as the front portion while portion 12 will be referred to as the back portion. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the fold line 13 is located in the center of the supporting sheet 10 and the two portions 11 and 12 have substantially identical outer edge configurations. It will be obvious that the present invention may be practiced by locating the fold line 13 at a point other than at the blank from which the center of the sheet and the front and back portions 11 v and 12 need not be symmetrical.

The supporting sheet 10 is provided with a cutout 14 of prescribed configuration. The cutout 14 may take any of a number of different shapes or configurations which are attractive and appealing to the eye. For the embodiment in FIGS. 1 through 4, the bottom edge of the cutout 14 is seen to coincide with the fold line 13.

The display package of FIGS. 1 through 4 also includes a membranous sheet 15 which spans the cutout 14 and is adhered to the supporting sheet 10. As brought out most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, that portion of the membranous sheet 15 which spans the cutout 14 may be dished or laterally offset thus forming a pouch. The membranous sheet 15 is preferably preformed to introduce the dishing by any suitable stretching technique such as vacuum forming, for example.

Although in most applications, the membranous sheet 15 will be transparent so as to provide the viewer of the display package with a true indication of the nature and characteristics of the contents, perfect transparency will not always be required. In certain applications, a translucent membranous sheet will suffice or may, in fact, be preferred.

Membranous sheet 15 may be adhered to supporting sheet 10 by any of the Well-known heat sealing techniques. In attaching membranous sheet 15 to supporting sheet 10, the normal practice would be to adhere sheet 15 to sheet 10 over the entire area over which the two are in P contact, thus, creating a bond between the two from the edges of cutout 14 to the outer edges of sheet 10.

The display package of FIGS. 1 through 4 further includes means for securing the front and back portions 11 and 12 together after the supporting sheet 10 has been folded along fold line 13 and for forming a fluid tight seal between juxtaposed portions of the membranous sheet 15. The securing together of these parts may be accomplished by any suitable means such as by stapling, along with the use of an adhesive. The elfect of this is to complete the formation of a cavity 16 between the juxtaposed portions of the membranous sheet 15 within the fluid tight seal. The peripheral configuration of the cavity 16 is preferably similar to the configuration of the cutout 14. In such a case the fluid tight seal which defines the periphery of the cavity would be along the edge of the cutout 14.

As previously indicated, that portion of the membranous sheet 15 which spans the cutout 14 may be preformed into a dish-like pouch. It should be pointed out,

. however, that preformin'g may not always be necessary.

If membranous sheet 15 is kept flat and not preformed, it will still give somewhat when a fluid is introduced into cavity 16.

The display package of FIGS. 1 through 4 further includes a channel 17 running outward from the cavity 16 through which a fluid may flow. Channel 17 may take various forms and configurations. For the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, channel 17 is collapsible and is formed by the front and back portions 11 and 12 of supporting sheet 10. The channel 17 is seen to extend outward completely to the outer edges of the front and back portions 11 and 12. Such a channel may be formed by applying force to the package in the direction of the arrows 18 and 19 with the result that front portion 11 of the supporting sheet folds about fold lines such as lines 20a, 20b and 200 and back portion 12 of the supporting sheet folds about fold lines such as lines 21a, 21b and 21c. Fluid may be introduced into the cavity 16 and be dispensed from the cavity through channel 17.

The channel 17 need not run completely to the outer edges of the front and back portions 11 and 12. It may, for example, terminate in a suitable spout located in either the front portion 11 or the back portion 12 at any point between the cavity 16 and the outer edges. In addition, channel 17 may be formed by the membranous sheet alone or by the membranous sheet in conjunction with either the front portion 11 or the back portion 12 or by the front and back portions alone without an intermediate membranous sheet. Alternatively, the channel 17 may be a separate component constructed of flexible or inflexible material nlnning from the cavity 16 outward between the front and back portions 11 and 12.

A feature of the present invention is to provide a funnel 22 which facilitates introducing the fluid into the display package. Like the channel 17, the funnel 22 may be formed by the supporting sheet 10. After the fluid is introduced into the package, the opening would be sealed near the outer edge and the funnel portion may be cut off along the dotted lines 22a and 22b.

The display package of FIGS. 1 through 4 may also be provided with means for positioning the package on a suitable stand or rack. Such means may include a pair of flaps 23 and 24 which are folded outward along fold lines 23a and 24a, respectively, when the package is to be self-standing. When the package is to be suspended from a suitable rack such as a Pegboard, the package may be hung from a peg which is passed through a hole 25.

FIGS. through 8 show a second embodiment of a display package constructed in accordance with the present invention. The primary difference between the display package of FIGS. 1 through 4 and the display package of FIGS. 5 through 8 is that the contents of the package of FIGS. 5 through 8 may be viewed from both front and back sides.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 8, the display package shown therein includes a stifii supporting sheet 30 divided into two portions 31 and 32 by a fold line 33. Again, for purposes of identification only, portion 31 will, from time to time, be referred to as the front portion while portion 32 will be referred to as the back portion. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 through 8, the fold line 33 is located in the center of the supporting sheet 30 and the two portions 31 and 32 have substantially identical outer edge configurations.

The supporting sheet 30 isprovided with a cutout 34 of prescribed configuration which extends into both of the portions 31 and 32. The cutout 34 may be thought of as being composed of two substantially identical cutouts, one in the front portion 31 and one in the back portion 32. The center line of the cutout 34 is seen to coincide with the fold line 33. The result in that front and back portions 31 and 32 are symmetrical about the fold line 33.

The display package of FIGS. 5 through 8 also includes a membranous sheet 35 which spans the cutout 34 or more particularly the two portions of the cutout which extend into the front and back portions 31 and 32. The

membranous sheet 35 is adhered to the supporting sheet 30. As brought out most clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7, those portions of the membranous sheet which span the cutouts may be dished or laterally offset thus forming a pouch.

The display package of FIGS. 5 through 8 further includes means for securing the front and back portions 31 and 32 together after the supporting sheet 30 has been folded along fold line 33 and for forming a fluid tight seal between juxtaposed portions of the membranous sheet 35. The effect of this is to complete the formation of a cavity 36 between the juxtaposed portions of the membranous sheet 35 within the fluid tight seal.

The display package of FIGS. 5 through 8 further includes a channel 37 running outward from the cavity 36 through which a fluid may flow. For the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 8, channel 37 is collapsible and is formed by the front and back portions 31 and 32 of the supporting sheet 30. The channel 37 is seen to extend outward completely to the outer edges of the front and back portions 31 and 32. The channel may be formed by applying force to the package in the direction of the arrows 38 and 39 with the result that the front portion 31 of the supporting sheet folds about fold lines such as lines 40a, 40b and 400 and the back portion 32 folds about fold lines such as lines 41a, 41b and 410. Fluid may be introduced into the cavity 36 and dispensed from the cavity through the channel 37.

As was the case with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the channel 37 in FIGS. 5 through 8 need not run completely to the outer edges of the front and back portions 31 and 32. It may, for example, terminate in a suitable spout located in either the front portion 31 or the back portion 32 at any point between the cavity 36 and the outer edges. Also, the various possible constructions of the channel 17 in FIGS. 1 through 4 may be utilized in forming the channel 37.

A funnel 42 may also be provided for the embodiment of FIGS. 5 through 8. Like the channel 37, the funnel 42 may be formed by the supporting sheet 30. After the fluid is introduced into the package, the opening would be sealed near the outer edge and the funnel portion cut off along the dotted line 42a.

The display package of FIGS. 5 through 8 may also be provided with means for positioning the display package on a suitable stand or rack. For this display package such means may include a plurality of flaps 43, 44, 45 and 46 which when folded outward along fold lines 43a, 44a, 45a and 46a, respectively, permit the package to be self-standing.

Although both embodiments of the display package have been described as being composed of front and back portions formed from a single stiff supporting sheet, it is apparent that separate panels suitably joined together may also be employed. If such construction were employed, separate membranous sheets, individually adhered to the two panels, would also be utilized.

It should also be pointed out that various other techniques may be employed for racking the display package of the invention. For example, the display package of the invention may be adapted for an easel arrangement.

Although the invention has been shown as having a single fluid cavity or container, a group of such containers may be arranged in a single package in accordance with the techniques of the present invention.

In both of the embodiments described, the fluid containers are seen to extend to the base of the folded package. It is obvious that the fluid container may be located at various other points such as in the center of the package or at either of the side edges and have various other cnfigurations.

A further point is that although the package of the invention has been described as having application for the display of fluids, it may be utilized as a convenient shipping container for furnishing physicians and dentists with sample specimens of drugs and medicines.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the artthat various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A display package comprising:

(a) a stiff supporting sheet divided into front and back portions by a fold line and having a cutout of prescribed configuration;

(b) a membranous sheet spanning said cutout and adhered to said supporting sheet;

(c) means securing said two portions of said supporting sheet together, said supporting sheet being folded along said fold line forming a fluid tight seal between juxtaposed portions of said membranous sheet, thereby forming a cavity between said juxtaposed portions and within said fluid tight seal;

( d) and a channel formed by and formed between said front and back portions running outward from said cavity through which a fluid may flow, the edges of said channel formed with straight fold lines which border the marginal edges, extend to the outer edge of the package and are in spaced relation to the axis thereof.

2. A display package comprising:

(a) a stiff supporting sheet divided into front and back portions by a fold line and having a cutout of prescribed configuration;

(b) a membranous sheet spanning said cutout and adhered to said supporting sheet;

(0) means securing said two portions of said supporting sheet together, said supporting sheet being folded along said fold line forming a fluid tight seal between juxtaposed portions of said membranous sheet along the edges of said cutout, thereby forming a cavity between said juxtaposed portions and within said fluid tight seal;

(d) and a channel formed by and formed between said front and back portions running outward from said cavity through which a fluid may flow, the edges of said channel formed with straight fold lines which border the marginal edges, extend to the outer edge of the package and are in spaced relation to the axis thereof, said channel including a spout portion at the outermost edge.

3. A display package according to claim 2 wherein that portion of the membranous sheet which spans the cutout is dished.

4. A display package according to claim 2 wherein the membranous sheet is transparent.

5. A display package according to claim 2 wherein the two portions of the supporting sheet have substantially identical outer edge configurations and the channel extends outward completely to the outer edges of the two portions of the supporting sheet.

6. A display package comprising:

(a) a stiff supporting sheet divided into front and back portions by a fold line and having substantially identical cutouts of prescribed configuration in each of said portions;

(b) a membranous sheet spanning said cutouts and adhered to said supporting sheet;

(c) means securing said two portions of said supporting sheet together, said supporting sheet being folded along said fold line forming a fluid tight seal between juxtaposed portions of said membranous sheet along the edges of said cutouts thereby forming a cavity between said juxtaposed portions and within said fluid tight seal;

(d) and a channel formed by and formed between said front and back portions running outward from said cavity through which a fluid may flow, the edges of said channel formed with straight fold lines which border the marginal edges, extend to the outer edge of the package and are in spaced relation to the axis thereof.

7. A display package according to claim 6 wherein those portions of the membranous sheet which span the cutouts are dished.

8. A display package according to claim 6 wherein the membranous sheet is transparent.

9. A display package according to claim 6 wherein the two portions of the supporting sheet have substantially identical outer edge configurations and the channel extends outward completely to the outer edges of the two portions of the supporting sheet.

10. A display package comprising:

(a) a stiff supporting sheet divided into two portions having substantially identical outer edge configurations by a fold line and having a cutout of prescribed configuration;

(b) a membranous sheet spanning said cutout and adhered to said supporting sheet;

(c) means securing said two portions of said supporting sheet together, said supporting sheet being folded along said fold line forming a fluid tight seal between juxtaposed portions of said membranous sheet along the edges of said cutout, thereby forming a cavity between said juxtaposed portions and within said fluid tight seal;

(d) a channel formed by and formed between said two portions of said supporting sheet running outward from said cavity completely to the outer edges of said two portions of said supporting sheet through which a fluid may flow, at least one of said portions being folded along the marginal edges of said channel in spaced relation to the axis thereof;

(e) and a funnel formed by said two portions of said supporting sheet in open communication with said channel.

11. A display package comprising:

(a) a stiif supporting sheet divided into two portions by a fold line and having substantially identical cutouts of prescribed configuration in each of said portions;

(b) a membranous sheet spanning said cutouts and adhered to said supporting sheet;

(c) means securing said two portions of said supporting sheet together, said supporting sheet being folded along said fold line forming a fluid tight seal between juxtaposed portions of said membranous sheet, thereby forming a cavity between said juxtaposed portions and within said fluid tight seal;

(d) a channel formed by and formed between said portions of said supporting sheet running outward completely to the outer edge of the package from said cavity through which a fluid may flow, at least one of said portions being folded along the marginal edges of said channel in spaced relation to the axis thereof;

(e) and a funnel in open communication with said channel.

12. A display package comprising:

(a) a stiff supporting sheet divided into two portions having substantially identical outer edge configurations by a fold line and having substantially identical cutouts of prescribed configuration in each of said portions;

(b) a membranous sheet spanning said cutouts and ad hered to said supporting sheet;

() means securing said two portions of said supporting sheet together, said supporting sheet being folded along said fold line forming a fluid tight seal between juxtaposed portions of said membranous sheet along the edges of said cutouts thereby forming a cavity between said juxtaposed portions and within said fluid tight seal;

(d) a channel formed by and formed between said two portions of said supporting sheet running outward from said cavity completely to the outer edges of said two portions of said supporting sheet through which a fluid may flow, at least one of said portions being folded along the marginal edges of said channel in spaced relation to the axis thereof;

(e) and a funnel formed by said two portions of said supporting sheet in open communication with said channel.

13. A display package comprising:

(a) a first supporting member having a cutout of prescribed configuration;

(b) a membranous sheet spanning said cutout and adhered to said first supporting member;

(c) a second supporting member secured to said first supporting member and forming a fluid tight seal with said membranous sheet, thereby forming a cavity between said membranous sheet and said second supporting member within said fluid tight seal;

(d) and a channel formed by and formed between portions of said first and second supporting members running outward completely to the outer edge of the package from said cavity through which a fluid may flow, at least one of said members being folded along t t 8 t the marginal edges of said channel in spaced relation to the axis thereof.

14. A display package comprising:

(a) a first supporting member having a first cutout of prescribed configuration;

(b) a first membranous sheet spanning said first cutout and adhered to said first supporting member; (0) a second supporting member having a second cutout of substantially identical configuration to said first cutout;

(d) a second membranous sheet spanning said second cutout and adhered to said second supporting member;

(e) means securing said first and second support members together forming a fluid tight seal between juxtaposed portions of said membranous sheets along the edges of said first and second cutouts, thereby forming a cavity between said juxtaposed portions and within said fluid tight seal;

(f) and a channel termed by and formed between portions of said first and second supporting members running outward completely to the outer edge of the package from said cavity through which a fluid may flow, at least one of said members being folded along the marginal edges of said channel in spaced relation to the axis thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Greenbaum 20645.31 X

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY PACKAGE COMPRISING: (A) A STIFF SUPPORTING SHEET DIVIDED INTO FRONT AND BACK PORTIONS BY A FOLD LINE AND HAVING A CUTOUT OF PRESCRIBED CONFIGURATION; (B) A MEMBRANOUS SHEET SPANNING SAID CUTOUT AND ADHERED TO SAID SUPPORTING SHEET; (C) MEANS SECURING SAID TWO PORTIONS OF SAID SUPPORTING SHEET TOGETHER, SAID SUPPORTING SHEET BEING FOLDED ALONG SAID FOLD LINE FORMING A FLUID TIGHT SEAL BETWEEN JUXTAPOSED PORTIONS OF SAID MEMBRANOUS SHEET, THEREBY FORMING A CAVITY BETWEEN SAID JUXTAPOSED PORTIONS AND WITHIN SAID FLUID TIGHT SEAL; (D) AND A CHANNEL FORMED BY AND FORMED BETWEEN SAID FRONT AND BACK PORTIONS RUNNING OUTWARD FROM SAID CAVITY THROUGH WHICH A FLUID MAY FLOW, THE EDGES OF SAID CHANNEL FORMED WITH STRAIGHT FOLD LINES WHICH BORDER THE MARGINAL EDGES, EXTEND TO THE OUTER EDGE OF THE PACKAGE AND ARE IN SPACED RELATION TO THE AXIS THEREOF. 